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Texas Land Conservancy

@texaslandconservancy

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Protecting the land, water, and wildlife of Texas since 1982.

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171 Acres of Grasslands and Woodlands Protected Forever!

We’re excited to announce the permanent protection of Chatham Park—171 acres of grasslands and woodlands in Bell County.

The conservation legacy of Peggy Chatham will become a gift to an entire community. Her vision will give future generations a place to explore, learn, and experience the natural beauty of Central Texas at a new public nature park in Temple.

Read more about this conservation success at the link in bio.

Join us in honoring the foresight, thoughtfulness, and generosity of the late Peggy Chatham. It’s remarkable what kind of impact an individual can make for the benefit of the environment and the people of Texas. Thank you to Leland Gersbach for trusting in TLC and Jake Bandas, Assistant City Attorney, for supporting the transaction. Thank you to supporters like you for helping achieve this important conservation success! by @texaslandconservancy

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11 days ago

This northern harrier came in close to check us out. They can often be seen gliding low over grasslands and open pastures. Unlike most hawks, they rely heavily on their hearing, as well as their vision, to locate small mammals and other prey. Their distinctive white patch near the base of their tail and long wings make them easy to identify.

Northern harriers are typically fall and winter visitors to Texas, and their return each year is a great reminder of the importance of conserving healthy grasslands, which support an incredible diversity of plants and wildlife.

Taken at Barnett Ranch in Denton County.

🦬 Jack Cearley, North Texas Program Director by @texaslandconservancy

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21 hours ago

Come rain or shine, black-bellied whistling ducks will have a party time! Also known as “tree ducks,” these highly social, highly noisy ducks spend most of their days gathered in large flocks, foraging in shallow ponds or perching on dead trees, fence posts, rooftops, and even electrical wires! Unlike most duck species, black-bellied whistling ducks form lifelong bonds with their mates and also share the incubation and nest protecting responsibilities. 🦆
Taken on a TLC protected property in Walker County

🐊 Jamie Hooker, East Texas Program Director by @texaslandconservancy

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2 days ago

Like the doomsday preppers of the insect world, red harvester ants store food, like seeds and dead insects, up to six feet below the ground, and their living quarters have been recorded up to 15 feet below the surface but range depending on the soil conditions and age of the colony. 🐜
The barren area cleared around the nest entrance range from 3 to 35 feet in diameter with distinct trails that can lead out a couple hundred feet from the entrance. Before you look to eradicate these native ants, keep in mind these tiny but mighty creatures are not only the primary food source for our beloved Texas horned lizard, but also act as ecological engineers and keystone species in arid grassland systems. They influence plant community composition, alter local microclimates and promote plant growth at the edge of their nest disc, aerate dry soils and cycle nutrients and organic matter increasing soil fertility.

🦎 Nick Fisher, Hill Country Program Manager by @texaslandconservancy

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3 days ago

This morning, TLC’s Hill Country Program Manager, Nick, led a small group from Bird City Kerrville on a hike around our 138-acre Los Rincones Preserve! 🐤
It was a beautiful morning to get outside, explore the preserve, and enjoy some birding together! by @texaslandconservancy

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6 days ago

Yesterday, our North Texas staff visited a 75-acre TLC-protected property in the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. 🌾
Only about 1% of the original Texas Blackland Prairie remains, but these 75 acres are protected from development forever! 💚 Click the link in our bio to learn more about TLC. by @texaslandconservancy

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7 days ago

Today, two of our Featured Artists for Art for Conservation, Juliee and Daniel, visited Sandyland Ranch, one of TLC’s protected properties in the Hill Country, to find inspiration for an art piece they’ll create for our event on November 1. 🎨🌿

Smoke filled the air in western Blanco County the day after a burn ban was lifted as we trekked down a rocky canyon toward the banks of the Pedernales River. Juliee was hoping to find inspiration in the wildlife and admired the sandstone and granite rock formations that covered the landscape.

Daniel was hoping to satisfy our natural urge to seek out water, and he was not disappointed. The clear flow of the river revealed schools of small fish and the occasional splash of a turtle diving in from a rock.

Lindheimer’s morning glory, desert millipedes, and crevice spiny lizards also made an appearance as we explored the property. Thirty years of conservation work was evident in the habitat that the landowner was proud to showcase.

We can’t wait to see how this special place inspires Juliee and Daniel’s artwork for Art for Conservation! 🌱🎨

Join us November 1 at The Austin Winery to see their work. RSVP for your spot at the link in our bio under "Join Us for a TLC Event". by @texaslandconservancy

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8 days ago

Ever wondered what property monitoring looks like for a TLC-protected property? 👀🌿
Take a behind-the-scenes look with our Hill Country Program Manager, Nick, as he shares what he looks for during a monitoring visit and what happens after. by @texaslandconservancy

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9 days ago

🚜 No Land, No Farms: Preserving Farmland for the Future

And just like that, we’ve reached our final presentation spotlight for this year’s DIG Summit! 🌱

As farms and ranches across Texas face growing pressure from development and the loss of available working land, what does it take to keep agricultural land in agriculture?

This roundtable brings together Wes Adams of Adams Blackland Prairie, Jack Cearley of Texas Land Conservancy, and Sara Fulton-Smith of American Farmland Trust for a conversation about land conservation, conservation easements, and the future of working farms and ranches.

The discussion will explore how conservation easements can help farmers and ranchers preserve land, access equity without selling the land outright, and create a path for the next generation, while also examining how conservancies, government programs, and organizations like American Farmland Trust can support these efforts.

Because without land, there are no farms. And without farms, there’s no local food system. 🚜🌱

#dallas #regenerativefarming #foodsystems #permaculture #localfood #supportlocal by @texaslandconservancy

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10 days ago

Did you know there are 100 words in Prairie Dog’s language? Texas is home to the Black-tailed Prairie Dog who are social animals with a clever way to communicate that goes beyond spreading the word of the location of the next burrow party.
The heavy built rodents use a variety of vocalizations of chirps, squeaks, yips, and the iconic jump-yip, and then combine them to deliver highly descriptive communications of approaching predators. Their large eyes and tan to reddish-brown fur already help them survive in the open prairies where hawks and snakes are abundant, but the highly sophisticated method of communication is the main reason they can prolong their residency.
Unfortunately, the swiftest predator is one we cannot see. The plague will leave prairie dog towns to be inhabited by snakes and burrowing owls instead of these brilliant creatures. Due to the social structure of towns and family groups, called coteries, the disease travels fast. Prairie Dogs are keystone species, and the localized extinction triggers a cascade effect of grassland ecosystem decline. Globally, grasslands are under a great amount of stress and are considered one of the most threatened ecosystems. Many significant endangered species like the Whooping Crane, Black-footed Ferret, and the Lesser Prairie Chicken, call grasslands home and without Prairie Dogs laying the foundation these species couldn’t thrive. The spread of plague can be managed through oral vaccines, thus leading to the second cause of prairie dog loss, habitat loss through human impacts. Protected and managed lands, like the one seen here, is the best way to allow the prairie dogs to spread and flourish, and continue to play the role of prey, landlord, lawn care specialist, and a reason to smile when you see them “kiss” to identify each other.

🌾Maggie O'Neil, Stewardship Program Manager by @texaslandconservancy

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10 days ago

I’m excited to be a featured artist at Texas Land Conservancy’s Art for Conservation! Art for Conservation is a one-night art showcase and fundraiser featuring artwork inspired by the beauty of Texas’ wild places. Proceeds benefit both the participating artists and Texas Land Conservancy’s mission to protect land and connect people to nature. I’m excited to share my artwork with the public and hope you’ll join us Sunday, November 1, from 3–7 pm at Austin Winery for an evening of art, community, and conservation.

Thanks in advance for hosting @theaustinwinery ! by @texaslandconservancy

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I’m honored to be featured among some other great artists at Texas Land Conservancy’s Art for Conservation on November 1 at Austin Winery! I’ll have my west Texas series as well as a selection of other pieces celebrating the beautiful natural spaces and native plants and animals of our state.

This one-night art showcase and fundraiser will feature local artists inspired by the beauty, hope, and resilience of Texas’ wild places, with proceeds supporting both participating artists and Texas Land Conservancy’s mission to protect land and connect people to nature.

Come out on Sunday, November 1 from 3-7pm to sip some wine, shop local art, and celebrate the wild places that make Texas special.

I’ll also give a brief talk about this series and how exploring the natural areas continues to inspire my work. More details on the timing of that to come.

We’ll see you there!

@texaslandconservancy @theaustinwinery by @texaslandconservancy

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14 days ago